iPad to outsell Mac in 2011 as estimates rise to 21 million

No stranger to serving up bullish sales predictions for Apple devices, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has claimed increased availability of iPad units will result in a sales surge in 2011, his estimates for the device rising suitably as a result.

Having previously put iPad's 2011 figure at 14.5 million, Munster now believes Apple will sell 21 million across the course of the year a number that would put it ahead of the Mac.

Moving up on the Mac

"We believe the iPad represents a meaningful product category for Apple as a secondary computing device for those who already have a primary computer, a primary device for those who could not previously afford a Mac, and the first Apple product that will be a success in the enterprise," Munster told investors in a note.

"We see the iPad as the Mac for the masses."

Munster's revision comes after US retailer Best Buy reveal it plans to roll iPad out to every single one of its stores, with Apple Insider reporting that rival Target is also rumoured to start selling the device in October.

Growth isn't restricted to the US, however. Apple has also launched iPad China and Latin America, with Munster claiming the device will be used as the maincomputing device in such markets due to its comparatively cheaper price.

[source: Apple Insider]